Musical Chairs: October 19

SPOTIFY CO-FOUNDER STEPS DOWN AS CHAIRMAN

One of Spotify’s co-founders Martin Lorentzon is stepping down as Chairman. He will remain on the board and have a Vice-Chairman role, he revealed on Twitter. Spotify CEO and public face Daniel Ek will take on the Chairman title as well. Analysts suggest that Eck wants the Chairman title to impress investors before Spotify goes for its IPO.

NEW A&R EXEC FOR SONY MUSIC AUST

In the wake of Senior A&R Pat Handlin’s move to London to Simon Cowell’s Syco/Sony Music UK, Sony Music Entertainment Australia will be joined in December by Claes Uggla from Sony Sweden. His last signing Alan Walker’s Faded was #1 in 25 countries.

WHELAN JOINS ABC RADIO

Sydney Morning Herald Editor Judith Whelan takes over as ABC Radio’s Head of Spoken Content on November 7. She will be responsible for ABC Radio’s flagship programs within the Capital City radio network, Grandstand and the ideas network RN.

Whelan will report to the Director of Radio, Michael Mason, and will work alongside Head of Music Chris Scaddan, whose brief covers music networks, including ABC Classic FM, triple j, Double J, ABC Jazz and ABC Country.

PROMOTIONS AT SONY/ATV

Sony/ATV promoted two of its Creative Department names. Creative Director Tyler Childs, who signed James Blake, Walk The Moon, Tegan & Sara and Vic Mensa, now becomes Vice President.

Lou Al-Chamaa is now Senior Director. Joining the company in 2012 as Creative Director, he signed chart topping Mike Posner, Australia’s Ben Abraham and Brett McLaughlin who co-wrote Troye Sivan’s Youth.

The publisher gianthas also promoted Brian Monaco to President, Global Chief Marketing Officer following a record-breaking year for the company’s synchronisation department. His expanded brief includes a focus on developing business opportunities in growing music regions around the globe, including China.

ADDITIONS TO AUSTRALIA COUNCIL BOARD

Joining the Australia Council for the Arts board are Sam Walsh AO, Kate Fielding, Zoe McKenzie and Leigh Carmichael. They serve until June 30, 2019.

Walsh, former CEO of London-based Rio Tinto Group, has deep links with the WA arts scene. He previously served as the Chair of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, Black Swan State Theatre Company and the WA chapter of the Australia Business Arts Foundation. He currently a Trustee of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation in London.

Fielding is a cultural strategist with a commitment to intercultural conversations and is currently the Chair of Regional Arts Australia and Chair of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission in WA.

Zoe McKenzie is a Trade and Foreign Investment specialist with extensive experience in Federal and State governments and with a background in Law and education. ”She is a welcome addition to the Council as we build on a history of successful international arts development,” said Australia Council Chair Rupert Myer AO.

Carmichael is Creative Director and Brand and Marketing Director for the Museum of Old and New Art and the Dark Mofo festival in Tasmania.

Myer also thanked outgoing members, Deputy Chair Robyn Archer AO, Samantha Mostyn (“contributed to the strategic vision of a culturally ambitious nation”), Waleed Aly (“His astute intellect has proven invaluable”) and Tim Orton (“chaired the Strategy Committee which oversaw the implementation of the Council’s five-year Strategic and Corporate Plan in 2015-16”).

Rupert Myer said Archer showed “extraordinary commitment to the Australia Council and the national arts sector through a significant period of change (he means the budget cuts by the Federal Government) “During this period, Robyn has played a critical leadership role through the development of the strategic plan and restructure of the organisation.”

SPOTIFY GM FOR FRANCE, BENELUX

Spotify appointed Bruno Crolot as General Manager for France and Benelux (which sees him also oversee Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). Crolot is familiar to Australian executives when he was head of Head of MIDEM Cannes from 2010 to 2015. He also worked at Universal Music and Sony Music Entertainment.

NEW TO STADIUM BOARD

North Queensland FC chairman and Townsville business leader Rabieh Krayem was appointed as a Director on the board of Stadiums Queensland. Its venues include Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Townsville’s 1300SMILES Stadium and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

McKENNA JOINS FOXTEL BOARD

Lachlan Murdoch’s key lieutenant Siobhan McKenna will be appointed to the Foxtel board.

STUBBS BACK ON RADIO

Richard Stubbs, who quit his long running stint on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne is back on the airwaves. He does an hour-long segment on talk radio 3AW’s The Weekend Break with his brother Peter “Grubby” Stubbs, and Dee Dee Dunleavy. The Stubbs brothers last worked together 30 years ago on 3XY.

WEIR TO CHAIR TAMWORTH LIQUOR ACCORD

Nick Weir of the Albert Hotel takes over as Chair of the chair of Tamworth and District Liquor Accord. His predecessor Roger Rumble stood down after ten years at top spot.

Rod Laing, CEO of the Wests’ Entertainment Group, was re-elected as the Accord’s Vice Chairman.

MADDIE BURKE AT COAST FM

Maddie Burke, five years as breakfast newsreader for Nova Perth and more recently co-host of 6IX’s breakfast show, now has a weekday mornings on 973 Coast FM in Mandurah. Burke, who graduated from broadcasting studies in Vancouver, Canada, also teaches radio broadcasting students at North Metropolitan TAFE.

LIAM RENTON MOVES ON

Liam Renton, who joined Hot 91/Zinc 96.1 Sunshine Coast as Promotions Manager, has moved on. He was previously 96Five Brisbane breakfast host.

LORRAE McKENNA BACK AT ARTIST MANAGEMENT

Finishing October 25 at Remote Control where she handled promotions for 3½ years, Lorrae McKenna will launch her new artist management company under the umbrella of Our Golden Friend. She’s managing Gabriella Cohen, Jade Imagine and Totally Mild. Her new contact details are lorrae@goldenlab.com.au.

She admitted, “It has been an extremely hard decision for me to make, because I absolutely love this label and all the artists on it. Let¹s just say I have shed many a tear in trying to execute this major life change.

Replacing her at Remote Control is Georgia Cooke at georgia@remotecontrolrecords.com.au.

CARRASCO EXITS FACEBOOK

After joining Facebook Australia as Creative Director for its in-house agency Creative Shop 12 months ago, Rebecca Carrasco has left the company. Her hire was at the time seen as a major step by Facebook to closer ties with advertisers and agencies.

HARRIDEN QUITS QUEANBEYAN SHOW

After 16 years in the role, Michael Harriden is stepping down as President of the Queanbeyan Show Society at its next AGM. He says he plans to spend more time with his young family. The next show is on November 12 and 13.

WALLACE MOVES TO EAGLE FM

Jack Wallace is doing the Drive shift on Eagle FM Goulburn and pulling double duty on Production. He was four years handling breakfast at Move FM.

LUCY CHESTERTON AT YAHOO7’S BE

Lucy Chesterton, one time Executive Editor for Famous and the Daily Mirror’s Showbiz Assistant Editor goes over to Yahoo7’s on October 31 as Head of its lifestyle and entertainment offering Be.

2UE FAREWELLS PARKER-DOLAN

Sydney’s 2UE threw a bash at Luna Park for friends and colleagues to mark the retirement after 25 years of Karen Parker-Dolan.